Pantomime (novel)
 First edition (publ. Strange Chemistry) | |
| Author | Laura Lam |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Strange Chemistry |
Publication date | February 5, 2013 |
| Award | Bisexual Book Award (2014) |
| ISBN | 978-1-90-884437-8 |
| Followed by | Shadowplay (2014) |
Pantomime is a fantasy novel by Laura Lam, originally published in 2013 by Strange Chemistry[1] and rereleased by Tor UK in 2016.[2] The first in the Micah Grey trilogy, Pantomime centers around an intersex character who was raised as a female in a fictional, Victorian styled world.
Plot summary
The main character has two separate personas, one a female named Gene, and one as a male named Micah Grey. Raised in a well-to-do family, Gene was taught to hide that she was intersex to everyone around her. Gene spent much of her life seeing multiple doctors in an attempt to understand her condition. After discovering that her parents were planning to have her operated on without her consent, Gene runs away from home to live on the streets. After a week of scrounging on the streets and hiding from the law enforcement, Gene comes across the traveling circus on the beach. Telling the circus members that she was a runaway boy named Micah, she joins the circus, and assumes the identity of a male. Micah quickly realizes that the members of the circus have just as many secrets as he does. The ringleader and owner, Bil Ragona, is an abusive alcoholic with terrible money skills, and after his wife leaves him, the circus suffers. When Bil decides to put on a pantomime in order to attract a larger part, Micah is cast as the female lead. This leads to suspicion from some of the circus members, including Bil. Enticed by the reward for finding Gene, Bil attempts to kidnap Micah. After being rescued by a close friend in the circus, Drystan, the two escape into the city to hide from circus members and policemen alike.
Awards and nominations
- Sydney J. Bounds Best Newcomer Award, British Fantasy Society 2014 (nominated)[3]
- "Teens Book of the Month" May 2014, Scottish Book Trust[4]
- American Library Association Rainbow List (2014, top ten title)[5]
- Bisexual Book Award, Speculative Fiction 2014[6]
References
- ^ "Pantomime". Booklist. 21 May 2013. Archived from the original on 15 April 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2024.
- ^ Pagan, Bella (14 May 2015). "Pan Macmillan Buys Dark Circus Series by Laura Lam". Tor UK. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "British Fantasy Awards 2014: the nominees". The British Fantasy Society. 6 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "Teens book of the month: Pantomime". Scottish Book Trust. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "2014 Rainbow Book List". Rainbow Book List. American Library Association. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2017.
- ^ "The Bi Writers Association - Book Award Finalists & Winners". The Bi Writers Association. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2017.